Biodeterioration on Particleboard

A review of previous work shows that test methods used in particleboard biodeterioration studies have not yet been standarized; however, methods that are accepted standards for testing solid wood are widely used. All workers agree that biodeterioration is affected by wood species, type of adhesive, size and position of particles, and physical properties of the board, but do not agree on the direction or extent of these effects. For example, the effects of UF and PF resins upon attack by decay fungi are under dispute. When particleboard is to be used under humid conditions, workers agree that it must be protected from biodeterioration by termites and fungi by the addition of a suitable preservative. Adding the preservative to the adhesive has generally been the method used. Our investigations of biodeterioration of both urea formaldehyde and phenol formaldehyde southern pine medium density particleboard showed that both boards were attacked by termites and a decay fungus, but not to as great a degree as solid southern pine wood. The urea board disintegrated during the test. The effect of 24-hour soaking in cold water, accelerated aging, and 1-year natural aging of medium density phenolic southern pine particleboard on termite and decay fungus attack was studied. The 24-hour water soak gave significantly more weight loss than no treatment, accelerated aging, or exterior weathering.

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